 Although
you have the right to feed your baby in public, there is still the issue
of your feelings about doing so. Each woman has her own comfort level.
Most women want to find the right balance of pride and modesty ? not
overly exposing themselves, while feeling comfortable knowing that
people are aware that they are breastfeeding. You’ll probably need some
practice with the particulars, simply because breastfeeding is a
function that involves a private part of your anatomy that is normally
not exposed in public. Wanting to be discreet doesn’t mean that you are
embarrassed or ashamed to feed your baby; it simply means that you don’t
want to cause yourself or others social discomfort.
The biggest issue for most new mothers is learning
how to get settled with your baby modestly. Even a new mother who is
breastfeeding with ease at home may fumble and struggle when she perceives that
she has an audience; her tension then causes her impatient baby to cry. That
only deepens the feeling that all eyes are on her. The reality is that most
people are paying attention to their own activities and their own private
conversations, by and large ignorant of what’s happening with other people. Once
you become adept breastfeeding discreetly, you’ll be able to comfortably nurse
your baby anywhere. All it takes is a little practice.
Tips for breastfeeding in public
-
Give yourself permission to feel comfortable
about nursing your baby in public. Feeding your baby is a natural, normal
part of mothering, whether you are at home or out in public.
-
Dress for breastfeeding. Wear a shirt or sweater
that can be lifted up or unbuttoned from the bottom. When you lift from the
bottom, the top portion of your shirt helps cover you from the top, and your
baby covers you from the bottom. Whatever portion of your breast is shown
while feeding your baby is certainly much less than is shown in the typical
television show, magazine or at your local beach or public swimming pool.
-
Try a nursing cover-up or a breastfeeding
garment with a built-in flap. Many are so beautifully made that even under
the most careful scrutiny, they don’t look like nursing clothes. Most stores
that sell maternity clothing also sell nursing apparel. Even if you don’t
use these at home, they may help you feel more comfortable when in public.
-
Bring along a small baby blanket. Some babies
are fine with having a blanket thrown over your shoulder and over their
heads, but many are very good at pulling such a blanket off. A good
alternative is to bring the blanket up from below, and tent it around your
baby, to cover you as you settle your little one to the breast. The blanket
can be loosely placed to create privacy, or even removed once you’re
settled.
-
Use your sling as a nursing cover-up. Baby
slings are wonderful for nursing your baby on the go because they hold your
baby perfectly in the nursing position while providing extra fabric for a
screen. Some brands have a “tail” at the end that doubles as an extra
blanket to keep the baby from trying to peek out while nursing.
-
Feed your baby at the first sign of hunger,
because hungry babies aren’t quietly patient! If you wait until your baby is
crying to be fed, then you may become nervous; your baby may move about and
make the latch-on difficult. Instead, if you nurse him promptly, you can be
more relaxed about getting him settled.
-
Remember that the alternative to public
breastfeeding is usually public crying. Whether you’re in a restaurant, at
church, or on an airplane, people typically would prefer that you feed your
baby than let him cry, fuss or otherwise disrupt the peace. I remember once
attending a live play with a very antsy two-year-old: my son, David. When I
finally settled him on my lap to breastfeed, the gentleman sitting beside me
actually said, “Thank you!”
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